ED Raids on Prateek Jain have ignited a major political controversy in West Bengal. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted searches at the residence and office of Trinamool Congress IT cell chief Prateek Jain. The raids relate to an alleged financial irregularities case linked to fake job promises.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the raid location and openly challenged the central agency. She accused ED officials of attempting to seize TMC hard disks, internal party documents, and sensitive organisational data. Banerjee claimed she intervened and prevented officials from taking party materials. She questioned whether targeting political party IT heads falls under the Home Minister’s responsibility.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that the raids were driven by political vendetta and described the action as unconstitutional. She told reporters that the seized data included information related to Assembly election candidates. The Chief Minister further claimed the agency intended to hand over party data to the BJP.
The BJP hit back strongly. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticised Mamata’s presence at the raid site. He called it unethical and unconstitutional interference in a central agency’s investigation. He demanded action against the Chief Minister for obstructing due process.
According to officials, the ED conducted searches across 15 locations in six states. The agency also raided the Kolkata office of Indian Political Action Committee. Investigators say the probe involves a racket that allegedly cheated people with fake government job promises.
